Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-03-05
THE VITALITY OF CHINA.
esdden Rise OF the Oriental Nation to .
Place Among the Powers.

ssdden Rise OF the Oriental Nation to .
Place Among tho Powers.
The sudden rise of China 10 a place
among the "World Powers" is by far
the greatest change which this generation
has witnessed in Asiatic politics. Ii is
scarcely yet six years since the great en-
pire stood as much outside the pIlitics of
the world, and especially the politics of
Europe, as if she hal belonged TO a sepa-
rate and distinct planet. A few ohserv-
ers. it is true, who had noticed recent
events-the expiration Of the Panthays,
the eras,lre Of the kingdom of Kashgar
end the determined attitude assumed by
Pekin when demanding the rrtroceSsion
of Kul'lia 10y the Russians-had bcgun TO
doubt whether the vitality of China had
not been underrated, but the statesmen
of Europe paid her very little attention.
The dispatch Of an ambassador to Europe
was considered rather an abSurdity; it
was necessary to protect his suite from
insult in London by some rather sharp
sentences; and the French government,
when it began its exp rimentS in lndo-
China, openly pronounced the Chinese
empire TO he une qIIantite ncgligeable.
We ourselves delayed carrying out the
treaty Of Tien-tsin with a certain indif-
ferent insOlcncc. AMI in central Europe
China was CONSIDERED an interesting geo
graphical expression. Within six years
this Indifference has completely disap-
pearcd. AMI China is now recognized by
oil diplumatists rs state Of the lirst inn
portance, which can exercise direct and
serious influence on almost every great
power.
She stands, in fact. in direct contact
with the majority of them. 1t is not too
much to say that the statesmen Of Pekin
could overthrow any French ministry by
merely increasing their pressure ON Ton
Quin and encouraging the Anamcse to
attempt an instruction. That is 10 say,
they could compel the French govern
ment 10 ask for men and money with
which TO defend their Indo-Chinese DOS
sessions on a scale which the peasantry
would asSuredly not bear. and which,
even il voted, would ALLEVIATE the cham
ber. The Chinese are quite aware OF
this f1ct, and are even now striking
blows at France, which exasperates the
foreign office in Paris 10 the last degree
The Chinese could in Burmah make
everything difficult for the British gov
ment, which again has every reason to
desire their friendship, not only because
the opium revenue depends upon il. lat
because in any great struggle with Russia
the alliance with China might enable us
20 effect serious diversion. perhaps To
emharass the government Of st. Peters
burg more than by any direct attack in
the Black sea. The Indian government.
acting in unison with that OF China.
would control nearly half the human
race. and could exert a force i'm Asia
with which even the masses Of sollrry
at the disposal of the car would H. un.
able 30 contend. To Russia. indeed.
China is one of the most formidable OF
states, because by an invasion Of Man
cbooria, or of the territory wcsl Of
Kuldia, the Chinese emperor can. at dis.
cTeiion. compel st. Petersburgh either 10
subrnit TO a defeat which would Ir fol.
lowed by instructions throughout Asiaiic
R,,ssia or to forward an army over 5000
mills Of an inhospitable country at an
expense which would BE- ruinous 10 any
treasury in the world. One can hardly
imagine a worse position than thai Of a
Russian emperor with a EUROPEAN war
on hand, yet compelled 10 defend his as,
oendancy in Tartary against a general
like Tso.
In Paris. London and st. Petersburg.
therefore, the Marquis Tscng is one Of
the most honored and influential of
diplomatists, and even in Berlin be is re-
ceived with marked respect, for Prince
Bismarck never forgets that Slav and
German may one day be compelled 10
try issue Of war, and he has ideas about
SHIPS, colonies and commerce. which
Pekin can materially aid or thwart. In
deed. the influence Of China stretches
even beyond Asia and Europe, for Wash
ington is anxious about Chinese trade:
has most delicate questions 10 settle
about Chinese immigrants. London
Spectator.